German footwear giant Birkenstock is set to inaugurate its first French store on July 20. Situated at 17 rue des Archives in Paris’s fourth arrondissement, the store spans two levels and occupies a prominent corner position at rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie. This prime location places it in the heart of the Marais district, neighboring prominent brands like The Kooples and Ba&sh, and in close proximity to the BHV Marais department store. Market presence in France Under the leadership of Clémence Genevard, who joined from PVH Corp. just over a year ago, Birkenstock has been expanding its presence in France primarily through multi-brand retailers and its own e-commerce platform. Financial outlook and recent developments Birkenstock, headquartered in Linz am Rhein, Germany, has revised its fiscal 2024 revenue forecast to between €1.77 billion and €1.78 billion, up from an earlier projection of €1.74 billion to €1.76 billion. Founded in 1774, Birkenstock has recently bolstered its production capabilities in response to increasing demand. The company invested €15 million to enhance its manufacturing facility in Arouca, northern Portugal, underscoring its commitment to meeting market needs. Strategic Investments In 2021, Birkenstock saw a change in ownership when the majority stake was acquired by L Catterton, an investment fund, and Financière Agache, a holding company linked to the Arnault family, through their investment firm Agache.
